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Title: Genetic Code Error Minimization as a Non-Adaptive But Beneficial Trait. Author: Massey SE. Journal: J Mol Evol; 2019 Jan; 87(1):4-6. PubMed ID: 30604016. Abstract: In a recent Letter, Di Giulio questions the use of the term 'neutral' when describing the process by which error minimization may have arisen as a side-product of genetic code expansion, resulting from the addition of similar amino acids to similar codons (Di Giulio, in J Mol Evol 86(9):593-597, 2018). However, I point out that in this scenario error minimization is non-adaptive, and so 'neutral' is an appropriate term to describe its imperviousness to direct selection. Error minimization is a form of mutational robustness, and so commonly viewed as beneficial. This in turn implies that not all beneficial traits may be adaptations generated by direct selection for that trait.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]